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Escaping to Japan's best rests
 Yagyu-no-sho is one of Japan's most luxurious traditional inns. BUSINESS TRAVELLER
YOUR SAY
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTSSHUZENJI, Japan (CNN) -- Ueno station in Tokyo is the place to catch Japan's famous high-speed bullet trains, but as the destination for more than 700,000 people-a-day, it's also a place travelers might want to escape from in search of somewhere more peaceful. Thankfully, outside the confusing and hectic capital, help is at hand. Journey three hours south of Tokyo and you may stumble upon the perfect solace -- a Japanese inn. More commonly known as a ryokan, these are places where you can experience a taste of traditional Japanese culture and custom that is normally hidden from foreign visitors. Set in the heart of a bamboo grove, Yagyu-no-sho, is one of more than 60,000 ryokans in Japan, an increasing number of which are becoming more accessible to people from abroad. Despite special concessions made to its foreign visitors -- including bigger slippers and longer mattresses and blankets -- it is among 15 inns judged to be among the best by the Luxury Ryokan "Some Japanese-style inns are recently influenced by Asian style, Asian taste. But our ryokan would like to keep the real traditional Japanese style -- no influence of Western or Asian style," said a Luxury Ryokan spokeswoman. While ryokan rooms can seem small, everything inside has a place and a purpose, and they go far beyond being simply a room for the night. Guest rooms serve as living room, dining room and bedroom all in one, so shoes must be off at all times. But it's the bathing ritual that has long been the reason to visit an inn -- communal baths are a feature, and at Yagyu-no-sho, it's a hot spring. Japan is well known for its many therapeutic springs, and etiquette is crucial. It is always customary to rinse before entering the bath. Washing takes place at a basin, and standing while washing is a definite no-no. And when it comes to food, presentation is everything, making the 13 course meals an event in themselves. But while tipping for the traditional high level of service is not expected, a typical night does not come cheap -- more than 1,000 dollars for two people. Worth the expenseNevertheless, foreign visitors such as Wiley and Donna Reynolds from Colorado, believe it's worth the money. "We hear that the food is wonderful and the harmony and the serenity of the place will be great," said Donna Reynolds. "I was very interested in the bamboo gardens here. I think just a wonderful Japanese experience is what we're hoping for." So, when you've soaked in the surroundings, it'll probably be time to catch up on that much-needed sleep. And in this setting a good night's kip is pretty much guaranteed. CNN's Shantelle Stein contributed to this report. 
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collection for its preservation of a traditional lifestyle.
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